Stall trench and grate combination



Jan. 11, 1966 w. J. CONOVER 3,228,376

STALL TRENGH AND GRATE COMBINATION Filed Sept. 14, 1964 //v yavrop Mum/v J. Con 0 I/E/e ZKWW United States l atent O F 3,228,376 STALL TRENCH AND GRATE COMBTNATION William J. Conover, Rhodes, Iowa, assignor to Black, Sivalls & Bryson, Inc. (B. S. 8: 3.), Kansas Qity, Mo., a corporation of Delaware Filed Sept. 14, 1964, Ser. No. 396,144 9 Claims. (Cl. 119-28) This application is a continuation-in-part of my copending application, Ser. No. 262,472 filed March 4, 1963, now US. Pat. No. 3,148,663 issued September 15, 1964.

This invention relates to animal enclosures and particularly to a trench and grate combination therefor.

For a number of years, slotted floors have been used in animal, and particularly swine confinement feeding and farrowing buildings. The main advantages as compared with solid floors are improved sanitation and a reduction in the labor necessary for cleaning. The swine almost immediately are separated from their waste, creating an environment that reduces the build-up of infectious bacteria and parasites.

Present day slotted floors, however, comprise straight slats making up square, rectangular, and right angular floors. It is a main object of this invention to improve upon the present day arrangement by providing a circular floor, with a circular trench covered with slabs themselves utilizing the efiiciency and economy of the improved slotted floor arrangement.

It is, therefore, an object of this invention to provide an improved slotted floor for a swine and other animal confinement feeding and farrowing building.

It is another object of this invention to provide a circular trench and grate therefor whereby the grate is substantially self-cleaned due to the novel structural configuration of the slabs making up the grate.

Still another object of this invention is the provision of an annular trench whereby the slabs therefor avail the structure of all the attendant advantages of slotted floors, and with the slabs themselves being an improvement over the conventional straight, right-angularly arranged slab structure.

It is yet another object of this invention to provide an improved slab for an annular trench.

Another object of this invention is the provision of a trench and grate combination capable of attaining the above designated objectives which is economical to manufacture, simple in construction, and effective in use.

These objects, and other features and advantages of this invention will become readily apparent upon reference to the following description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a preferred embodiment of this invention, showing an annular trench formed in a floor, and covered by an annular grate;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the trench and grate combination, taken along the line 2-2 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged plan view of one section of the grate of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a still further enlarged, fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 44 in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a transverse sectional view of a modified slab;

3,228,376 Patented Jan. 11, 1966 FIG. 6 is a transverse sectional view of a second modi fied slab; and

FIG. 7 is a transverse sectional view of a third modified slab.

Referring now to the drawings, the combined trench and grate structure of this invention is indicated generally at 10 in FIG. 1, and is constructed in a circular floor 11 of a concrete slab 12 (FIG. 2) or the like. Basically, the structure includes a circular V-shaped trench 13 and a circular grate 14 comprised of a plurality of slab sections 16 (see FIG. 3).

The surface 17 of the floor 11 preferably slopes downwardly from the periphery 18 thereof toward the trench, and also from the center 19 (FIG. 1) thereof toward the trench 13, whereby the waste on the floor surface 17 tends to gravitate to the trench 13. The trench 13 has a circular inner edge 21 adjacent the floor surface 17 concentric with the center 19 of the floor 11, and has an outer edge 22 also adjacent the floor surface and concentric with the inner edge 21. The radial width of the trench 13 is therefore constant, with the inner and outer edges 21 and 22 being concentrically related.

A shoulder 23 and 26 is formed in the floor 11 at the edges 21 and 22 respectively, to provide a semi-confined radially extended channel to receive the slab sections 16 as best illustrated in FIG. 2. The sections 16 are thereby nested in the floor 11 above the trench 13 for a practical stationary but removable placement.

The slab sections 16 are comprised of the same number of individual slabs 24, five in this instance, and with each group of five slabs interconnected into a solid structure, but with the sections independent of each other. Referring to FIG. 3, it is seen that a section 16 has a wider outer span, indicated generally by 27, than the inner span 28, with the curvature of the spans 27 and 28 concentric. Further, the opposite sides of the section 16 converge from the outer span 27 toward the inner span.

The spaces 29 formed between each adjacent pair of slabs 24 are equal their entire length, and to each other, and the adjacent longitudinal edges 31 and 32 of each pair of slabs 24 defining each space 29 are parallel. To connect each group of five slabs together, a trio of flat straps 33, 34 and 35 are provided, of progressively less length, as illustrated, fastening devices 36 of an appropriate type being used to fasten the straps to the tops of the slabs 24 (FIG. 4).

Referring particularly to FIGS. 3 and 4, as each slab 24 is identical only one will be described. Each slab 24 is of pre-cast concrete or the like, with a solid rod 37 extended along the longitudinal axis of the slab 24. The slab 24 has a rounded top surface 38, formed concavely relative to the trench 13, and with the surface 38 progressively narrower from the radially outermost end 39 to the innermost end 41.

The slab 24 is also progressively narrower in transverse width from the outer end 39 to the inner end 41, and has sides 42 and 43 (FIG. 4) which depend in a converging manner relative to each other. A substantially straight bottom surface 44 interconnects the sides 42 and 43 to complete the slab 24.

In the illustrated embodiment, the slabs 24 are approximately four feet in length, with the front end an approximate three and one-half inches, and the rear end five and one-half inches. The spacing between the slabs 24 is about three-quarters inch, which is maintained the full length of the slabs. In use, the slghtly rounded surfaces of the slabs 24 and the self-cleaning therefrom of the waste, and with the arcuate spaces 29 being sufficient to permit the waste to work through without harming the feet and legs of the animals.

Referring to FIG. 5, a first modified slab 46 is shown in cross section. This slab 46 is of a metallic composition, and has an inverted U-shape in cross-section, with a rounded base 47, and straight legs 48 and 49 which converge toward each other.

Similar to the slab 24, the modified slab 46 also progressively diminshes in width from its radially outermost end to its inner end, and is connected by the straps 33, 34 and 36 in the identical, arcuately spaced relation.

In FIG. 6, a second modified slab 51 is illustrated, comprising a T shape with the upper bar 52 concavely curved, and with a straight stem 53. Like the slab 24, the bar 52 tapers slightly inwardly from the outer end toward its inner end. The modified slabs 51 are interconnected in the same manner and pattern as the slabs 24.

Referring to FIG. 7, a third modified slab 54 is illustrated, being L-shaped in cross section and having again a concavely curved upper leg 56, and a straight depending leg 57. In plan view, the width of the leg 56 tapers from the outer end toward the inner end. Both the slabs 54 and 51 are of a metallic composition, and in plan view, a grate section 16 of slabs 54, or 51, or 46 is identical to a section of slabs 24, with the function and utility also being identical.

Although a preferred embodiment and three modifications thereof have been described herein, it is to be remembered that various other modifications and alternate constructions can be made without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for the disposing of animal offal from the surface of a floor comprising in combination:

an annular trench formed in the floor and having arcuate inner and outer edges at the surface of the floor which are radially spaced and concentric relative to each other; and

grate means covering said trench and including a plurality of arcuately spaced slabs laid on the surface and extended radially over said trench, each of said slabs progressively narrower in width from the radially outermost end to the innermost end thereof.

2. Apparatus for the disposing of animal offal from the surface of a floor comprising in combination:

an annular trench formed in the floor and having arcuate inner and outer edges at the surface of the floor which are radially spaced and concentric relative to each other; and

grate means covering said trench and including a plurality of arcuately spaced slabs laid on the surface and extended radially over said trench, each of said slabs progressively narrower in width across the upper surface thereof from the radially outermost end to the innermost end thereof.

3. Apparatus for the disposing of animal offal from the surface of a floor comprising in combination:

an annular trench formed in the floor and having arcuate inner and outer edges at the surface of the floor which are radially spaced and concentric relative to each other; and

grate means covering said trench and including a plurality of arcuately spaced slabs laid on the surface and extended radially over said trench, said spacing between each adjacent pair of slabs being equal the full length of said slabs.

4. Apparatus for the disposing of animal offal from the surface of a floor comprising in combination;

an annular trench formed in the floor and having arcuate inner and outer edges at the surface of the floor which are radially spaced and concentric relative to each other; and grate means covering said trench and including a plurality of arcuately spaced slabs laid on the surface and extended radially over said trench, each of said slabs progressively narrower in width from the radially outermost end to the innermost end thereof, the upper surface of each slab curved concavely relative to said trench. 5. Apparatus for the disposing of animal offal from the surface of a floor comprising in combination:

an annular trench formed in the floor and having arcuate inner and outer edges at the surface of the floor which are radially spaced and concentric relative to each other; and grate means covering said trench and including a plurality of arcuately spaced slabs laid on the surface and extended radially over said trench, each of said slabs progressively narrower in width from the radially outermost end to the innermost end thereof, the side surfaces of each slab depending in a converging manner relative to each other. 6. Apparatus for the disposing of animal offal from the surface of a floor comprising in combination:

an annular trench formed in the floor and having arcuate inner and outer edges at the surface of the floor which are radially spaced and concentric relative to each other; and grate means covering said trench and including a plurality of arcuately spaced slabs laid on the surface and extended radially over said trench, each of said slabs progressively narrower in width from the radially outermost end to the innermost end thereof, the side surfaces of each slab depending in a converging manner relative to each other, each slab having a straight bottom surface interconnecting said side surfaces, and composed of a concrete material. 7. Apparatus for the disposing of animal offal from the surface of a floor comprising in combination:

an annular trench formed in the floor and having arcuate inner and outer edges at the surface of the floor which are radially spaced and concentric relative to each other; and grate means covering said trench and including a plurality of arcuately spaced slabs laid on the surface and extended radially over said trench, each of said slabs progressively narrower in width from the radially outermost end to the innermost end thereof, the side surfaces of each slab depending in a converging manner relative to each other, each slab having an inverted U-shape in transverse cross-section. 8. Apparatus for the disposing of animal offal from the surface of a floor comprising in combination:

an annular trench formed in the floor and having arcuate inner and outer edges at the surface of the floor which are radially spaced and concentric relative to each other; and grate means covering said trench and including a plurality of arcuately spaced slabs laid on the surface and extended radailly over said trench, each of said slabs progressively narrower in width from the radially outermost end to the innermost end thereof, the side surfaces of each slab depending in a converging manner relative to each other, each slab having a T-shape in transverse cross-section. 9. Apparatus for the disposing of animal offal from the surface of a floor comprising in combination:

an annular trench formed in the floor and having arcuate inner and outer edges at the surface of the floor which are radially spaced and concentric relative to each other; and grate means covering said trench and including a plurality of arcuately spaced slabs laid on the surface and extended radially over said trench, each of said slabs progressively narrower in width across the upper sur- 5 6 face thereof from the radially outermost end to the 2,868,169 1/1959 Schriever et a1 11928 innermost end thereot, each slab having an inverted 3 137 270 5 19 4 Rigterink at a] 119 16 L'shaPed cmss'sectm- 3,148,663 9/1964 Conover 119-16 References Cited by the Exammer 5 SAMUEL KOREN, Primary Examiner.

UNITED STATES PATENTS 502 004 7 1 93 Logan 1 ALDRICH F. MEDBERY, Examiner.

1,711,004 4/1929 Youngman 11928 

1. APPARATUS FOR THE DISPOSING OF ANIMAL OFFAL FROM THE SURFACE OF A FLOOR COMPRISING IN COMBIANTION: AN ANNULAR TRENCH FORMED IN THE FLOOR AND HAVING ACURATE INNER AND OUTER EDGES AT THE SURFACE OF THE FLOOR WHICH ARE RADIALLY SPACED AND CONCENTRIC RELATIVE TO EACH OTHER; AND GRATE MEANS COVERING SAID TRENCH AND INCLUDING A PLURALITY OF ARCUATELY SPACED SLABS LAID ON THE SURFACE AND EXTENDING RADIALLY OVER SAID TRENCH, EACH OF SAID SLABS PROGRESSIVELY NARROWER IN WIDTH FROM THE RADIALLY OUTERMOST END TO THE INNERMOST END THEREOF. 